Nature

This photo provided by Daniela C. Roessler in August 2022 shows a jumping spider (E. arcuata) exhibiting leg curling during a REM sleep-like state. A study published on Monday, Aug. 8, 2022, suggests that jumping spiders show signs of sleep cycles, similar to humans and some animals. (Daniela C. Roessler via AP)

Do spiders sleep? Study suggests they may snooze like humans

Biologist: ’It was just the most unusual thing I’ve ever seen’

 

The Morkin property in Southern Alberta. (Brent Calver/Nature Conservancy of Canada)

Fill your pack with snacks, scientists need to know how neat B.C. nature is

The BioBlitz, through the iNaturalist app, runs from July 28-Aug. 1

 

This long exposure image shows the eruption of volcano Sakurajima Sunday night, July 24, 2022, in the view from Tarumizu city, Japan’s southern prefecture of Kagoshima. Japan’s Meteorological Agency said a volcano on Japan’s southern main island of Kyushu erupted Sunday night, spewing ash and volcanic rocks, but there were no immediate reports of damage or injuries in nearby towns. (Kyodo News via AP)

Japan’s Sakurajima volcano erupts, triggering evacuation

No immediate reports of damage or injuries in nearby towns

 

Western tent caterpillars in a cluster at the tip of a branch at ground level. The silky tents are often found high in trees, where the direct sunlight warms up the larvae. (Don Descoteau/News Staff)

Tent caterpillar season returns: here’s how Vancouver Island can battle back

Manual removal method the easiest, but targeted natural insecticides available

Western tent caterpillars in a cluster at the tip of a branch at ground level. The silky tents are often found high in trees, where the direct sunlight warms up the larvae. (Don Descoteau/News Staff)
Russell Nursery in North Saanich is celebrating its 30th year in business. Co-owner Laurel Rassenti is preparing for blossoming gardeners when the weather gets a little warmer. (Wolfgang Depner/News Staff)

Weather slows early Vancouver Island gardening season but boom expected

Warmer weather will bring the green thumbs out of hibernation, businesses predict

Russell Nursery in North Saanich is celebrating its 30th year in business. Co-owner Laurel Rassenti is preparing for blossoming gardeners when the weather gets a little warmer. (Wolfgang Depner/News Staff)
A bee searches for pollen on a flower during a sunny spring day in Belgrade, Serbia, Friday, April 8, 2022. A study published in the journal Nature on Wednesday, April 20, 2022 says habitat loss from big agriculture and climate change are combining to threaten the world’s insects. (AP Photo/Darko Vojinovic)

Climate change, big agriculture combine to threaten insects

Scientists have noticed dramatic drop in total bug numbers

A bee searches for pollen on a flower during a sunny spring day in Belgrade, Serbia, Friday, April 8, 2022. A study published in the journal Nature on Wednesday, April 20, 2022 says habitat loss from big agriculture and climate change are combining to threaten the world’s insects. (AP Photo/Darko Vojinovic)
Volunteers cut broom on a vacant land near Parksville. (Michael Briones photo)

Group wants landowners to sweep Scotch broom from their Vancouver Island properties

Broombusters ask Regional District of Nanaimo for assistance

Volunteers cut broom on a vacant land near Parksville. (Michael Briones photo)
The goal to create a protected eagle reserve at the French Creek estuary will become a reality. (Michael Briones photo)

$5M dream to create Vancouver Island eagle sanctuary poised to become reality

Campaign to purchase estuary land reaches fundraising goal

The goal to create a protected eagle reserve at the French Creek estuary will become a reality. (Michael Briones photo)
Save French Creek Estuary Land has documented eagles nesting on a Douglas Fir tree near the French Creek Marina. (SFCEL photo)

Clock ticking as charity $300,000 away from Vancouver Island eagle reserve dream

Major donations assist $5 million effort to preserve French Creek estuary

Save French Creek Estuary Land has documented eagles nesting on a Douglas Fir tree near the French Creek Marina. (SFCEL photo)
This snowy owl, popular on the Peninsula for its Sidney perch in public the last couple weeks, didn’t show itself for the annual Christmas Bird Count in Sidney/South Salt Spring Island on Dec. 19, but was spotted on Monday. (Photo by Christy Grinton)

Rare snowy owl turns shy during annual south Island Christmas Bird Count

Victoria count includes rare Arctic bird sighting by Oak Bay team

This snowy owl, popular on the Peninsula for its Sidney perch in public the last couple weeks, didn’t show itself for the annual Christmas Bird Count in Sidney/South Salt Spring Island on Dec. 19, but was spotted on Monday. (Photo by Christy Grinton)
The spawning season lasts from late October to early December. Black Press Media file photo

Where to see spawning salmon on Vancouver Island this year

The top spots for fall fish viewing, from Goldstream to Campbell River

The spawning season lasts from late October to early December. Black Press Media file photo
letter

LETTER: Different vision could create better community and leave beaver ponds alone

I’m sad to see the excitement generated by San Group’s plans…

  • Oct 6, 2021
letter
Email editor@mi-reporter.com

LETTER: Burde Street ponds could be Port Alberni’s nature park

The Burde Street Ponds, surrounding forest trails and beautiful green space are my sanctuary…

  • Oct 6, 2021
Email editor@mi-reporter.com
Michael Yellowlees and his Alaskan Husky dog Luna enjoy a break in Ottawa’s Andrew Haydon Park during a picnic put on by the Scottish Society of Ottawa in late September. (FACEBOOK PHOTO)

QUINN’S QUIPS: Michael and Luna connect Canada’s landscape one step at a time

Scottish visitor and his sled dog are walking from coast to coast for climate change

Michael Yellowlees and his Alaskan Husky dog Luna enjoy a break in Ottawa’s Andrew Haydon Park during a picnic put on by the Scottish Society of Ottawa in late September. (FACEBOOK PHOTO)
A beaver lodge can be seen in one of two ponds along the Log Train Trail near what is known as the Burde Street Beaver Ponds. A group of Port Alberni residents is concerned that development in the area will compromise habitat in the wetlands. (PHOTO COURTESY SANDY MCRUER)

LETTER: Port Alberni beaver ponds in danger from proposed development

The Burde Street ponds are under threat from a proposed massive housing development…

  • Sep 22, 2021
A beaver lodge can be seen in one of two ponds along the Log Train Trail near what is known as the Burde Street Beaver Ponds. A group of Port Alberni residents is concerned that development in the area will compromise habitat in the wetlands. (PHOTO COURTESY SANDY MCRUER)
The Wilson Nature Park sign was unveiled at the Englishman River Estuary on Marine Way in Parksville on Sept. 16. Pictured from left, The Nature of BC chair and CEO, respectively, Emily Griffiths-Hamilton and Jasper Lament, and founders of the Wilson 5 Foundation, Summer and Chip Wilson. (Michael Briones Photo)

Wilson 5 Foundation donates $6M to rehabilitate Vancouver Island’s Englishman River

Largest land conservancy gift made by the foundation to date will re-naturalize Parksville estuary

The Wilson Nature Park sign was unveiled at the Englishman River Estuary on Marine Way in Parksville on Sept. 16. Pictured from left, The Nature of BC chair and CEO, respectively, Emily Griffiths-Hamilton and Jasper Lament, and founders of the Wilson 5 Foundation, Summer and Chip Wilson. (Michael Briones Photo)
(Lakes District News File Photo/Eddie Huband)

VIDEO: Fraser Valley pilot spots black bear from the air

Agassiz area pilot captures footage of a wandering black bear among the stalks of corn

(Lakes District News File Photo/Eddie Huband)
This year’s Western hemlock "looper" moth outbreak has been seen in the Lower Mainland and the Interior, including communities throughout the Columbia Shuswap Regional District. (Lorraine Maclauchlan photo)

Western Hemlock Looper Moths return for a third feast of B.C. foliage

Outbreaks of the moths occur every 11 to 15 years in Coastal and Interior forests

This year’s Western hemlock "looper" moth outbreak has been seen in the Lower Mainland and the Interior, including communities throughout the Columbia Shuswap Regional District. (Lorraine Maclauchlan photo)
(Christine van Reeuwyk/News Staff)

VIDEO: Invasive lizard population spreads across Vancouver Island

Even record-breaking heat didn’t diminish European wall lizard population

(Christine van Reeuwyk/News Staff)
Saturnina Island is situated off the east coast of Gabriola Island. (Google Maps image)

Island near Nanaimo preserved as park after $4M donation from Lululemon founder

Chip Wilson’s family’s foundation supports three land purchases in the Strait of Georgia

Saturnina Island is situated off the east coast of Gabriola Island. (Google Maps image)